Seems like we have a problem. We don´t really know who those soldiers are or why they are surrounding the town. Then we killed one of them and probably the others got dogs too, so they can track us by scent even if we manage to hide our trail. It´s either run and hide or fight them, bu we don´t know their numbers, only that they are more than us. 7-12 men and dogs, that´s not easy i guess.

The party moves at a brisk pace and little over an hour later they see the town of Railford.

Atop a hillock stand half a dozen small stone cottages surrounding a tall brick and timber building topped with a massive tin-covered water drum. A sign over its looming doors reads Railford Distillery est. 4693. From a squat brick building sharing an adjoining wall with the distillery rises a long cylindrical chimney. A low, moss-covered cobblestone wall surrounds the entire property.

The widows are shuttered, doors bared. No one on the streets in the early evening hours. it is about dusk Upon inspecting one of the houses, it is evident that the towns folk are hiding from you.

Eventually a small group comes out to inspect the party. Armed with pitchforks, shovels, and axes, they look frightened and desperate. They are led by a grizzled looking man with a limp, "Who are ya, and what is it you want with us?"

Fear not - we mean you no ill. We are not brigands but travellers and ones that have business with one of your own... Becher Railford. Luccinus holds his weapon hand well open and well away from weapons.

Janiya towing her mule from behind the party. No need for any violence. We are here in service of the Society. I am Janiya Sandborn. If you would be so kind and direct me to the nearest watering trough.

Tortella, my ally, your words were good..., Luccinus whispers to one side, and it looks like they may end up being friendly out of sheer relief you aren't here for mischief... but next time? When we're dealing with human villagers? Let the pretty girl handle it.

Arriving back from securing her mule at the water trough, Janiya catches the tail end of her companion's conversation.
Let me clarify for my fellow companions. We have arrested only two soldiers and let loose their dogs. I believe we have avoided a small platoon since then. Are you expecting any soldiers to arrive soon? They haven't been an amicable lot; are the others the same? I'm guessing that it may be an accurate assertion.

Why is she giving away information that undermines our strengths in negotiation?, the Chellish Warrior fumes, himself familiar with the diabolical 'cut and thrust' of truths, half truths, implied truths, implied lies, half lies and lies that made up the social training for some of his childhood.

The man takes a moment, he looks Kargen, then Luccinus in the eye for a long moment. He says,
"Lets go to the Inn and get a drink. He gestures to the entire party and the towns people to follow.

Pints are filled with ale. Whiskey is poured into short,fat glasses. "Two fingers high" the bartender says with a smile.

The man leading the towns people turns to you and says,

"My name is Dalard Fritch. I was a staff sergeant with the Royal Phalanx. Becher was our Master Sergent. We had heard rumors about decommissioning the entire battalion. Becher had a plan, we would come home with him and help convert his fathers vineyard into a distillery. In less than two months we had it up and running.

He takes a sip of his Ale,

We started selling or product off to Cassiomer and Oppara, even as far as Kathleer. The amount of gold was... staggering. We sailed along like this for about a year. We agreed to invest most of the gold back into the distillery to raise production output. Then Grald Krechmoor shows up two months ago with half the damn battalion demanding to see Becher's land deed.

Seeing the puzzled look on your face, he holds up a finger as he drinks more of his Ale. He nods his head as if to say, "I know I am getting to the point."

As part of Grand Prince Stavian III’s plan to reform his kingdom, he created an incentive program promising formal titles to any conscripted men willing to reclaim his lands from rogue lords. If Becher can't produce a the deed to his land, then Grald can seize it for the Prince by law, and it becomes his.

To make matters worse, Becher and his father never got along. They constantly fought up until he died about a year ago. Old man Railford squirreled the land tittles away somewhere and Becher can't find them. If that prick Grald get his hands on the documents he will destroy them.

Takes a breath,

So that's where we are, Krechmoor has cut Railford off from the outside, and is searching for the Land tittles. Becher has been gone for a few days looking for the same documents.

Do you have any idea where Becher may be now? Perhaps we could aid him in his search. How often do Kretchmoor and his men come into town?. Hawkwren pauses to think a moment. One last thing, have you seen anyone new come to town? Someone who spends a lot of time drinking at one of the taprooms?.

"So Krechmoor is just trying for a land grab and it's a race to find the titles. We ran into some of his men on the way in." He sighs and seems to be considering something for a moment.

"Well, the Pathfinder Society has interest in the distillery too. If we help you and Becher find the titles, would you allow the Pathfinders to use the distillery as a safehouse? You would still be able to do all of your business. We just want a place to store things and house people from time to time."

"Perhaps Becher to sign an actual contract of usage, but a verbal agreement to help them find the titles would still be useful. If they refuse, we don't have any incentive to help them." Kargen comments right in front of Dalard.

Dalard says to Hawkwren Agricola,
Becher and a few of the men left town about three days ago to go and hunt down the Land Tittles. They were to be back yesterday, I was going to start looking for them tommarow. I was hopping the rain would slack off, he shrugs. Would not be the first time I marched all day in the rain.[b]

[b]There is no one new in town, not since Krechmoor showed up. I actually live in the Bloodknuckles Inn and would know.
Hawkwren Agricola roll me, INT check, and perception

Dalard says to Kargen Hapspring,
I personally do not see a problem with letting the Pathfinders use the distillery for a supply dump and bunk house. But it is not really my decision to make. You will have to talk to Becher about that.

Hawkwren studies Dalard for a moment. I see, well that is good, I was wondering of perhaps Kretchmoor may have tried to plant a spy among the townsfolk and a taphouse would be an obvious choice for information.

"Well we can start out in the morning looking for Becher. Maybe you can show us to this Inn you're staying at, Dalard. If luck is with us, Becher will show up by morning with his titles. But I doubt it the way Kretchmoor has this place surrounded."

Hawkwren goes over to the bar and gets two whiskeys. He comes over and hands one to Dalard. To long life. You know Dalard, my family is from Andoran and I must say you have a slight Andoran accent. Any chance you hail from that part of the world? Hawkwren takes a sip from his whiskey. I think I've seen that pendant before too, may I look at it closer?